Mackenzie Scott

OWNING HER DREAMS

“I have found a career I love, and it’s helped me buy my first home.”

How did DMC help set you on your course to achieve your dreams?

“When I started this journey, I was 18 years old, and I had no idea what I wanted to do as a career. With the endless guidance of Captain (Robert) Ruiz and Mrs. (Melissa) Stuive, I was welcomed into the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program with open arms. When I was ready to go back for my paramedic licenses, I was working full-time at the hospital and paying for school completely by myself. When I was struggling the most, Del Mar showed me so many resources such as incredible scholarships, financial help and food assistance. The EMS program faculty and staff really pushed me to finish even when I got diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in my last semester of school. Mrs. Stuive was a major source of support who helped me get counseling and other resources. Because of all this help, I have now achieved my biggest dreams that I wouldn’t change for the world. I have found a career I love, and it’s helped me buy my first home.”

What is your best memory from your experience at DMC?

“There are so many amazing experiences this program gives you, from having ride-outs to hospital clinicals that show you real-world situations and grow your knowledge. On top of that, it also shows you the many different jobs you can achieve with an EMS certification. The instructors are hard but it’s because they care. They push their students to not only be great EMS providers, but also to be amazing people for the community they serve. If you’re struggling, they will always find a way to help you understand the material. Even after graduating, I still get to pay that knowledge forward by assisting the paramedic and cadet students with their pediatric emergency room rotations at Driscoll Children’s Hospital.”

What advice would you give others who may be considering attending DMC?

“To any student considering the EMS program, take the jump. Start with the EMT basic certification and practice with that for about a year before moving on the next level. This experience will help you endlessly when you decide to move on to paramedic. The other advice I can give is, yes, the program is challenging but that doesn’t mean you can’t finish it and feel confident. Study every chance you get and ask questions even if you feel they are dumb. And lastly, treat every patient like a family member – you never know what a person is going through. You may be their light at the end of the tunnel.”

“DMC changed my life because…”

“DMC changed my life by providing me all the resources to achieve my goal of being a paramedic and hopefully moving on to become a flight medic. I have been able to buy my first home and create other big goals to achieve.

“The instructors I started the program with in 2018 helped me get back into the program after about five years of a break away from school. They never gave up on me even through the hardest challenges and were always willing to work with my insane schedule. They never once doubted my abilities and worked with me tirelessly. For all of that I will be forever grateful.”